Lest you think we've died

We're still here! I've been waiting for something fascinating to happen so I would have a clever blog post to write. Sadly, things are pretty mundane around here. So you just get a bunch of pictures and a minor update.
Let's start with Lee. About a million and a half years ago he put in for several transfers to places all over the western United States. And thus far the news is basically no news at all. Stupid government, taking their sweet time to do anything. Don't they know we're all slowly slipping into madness waiting for the suspense to end? Will we even be going anywhere? Where will we go? When will we go? These questions demand answers! I'm having a baby in four months! Other than that Lee is doing well. Mostly just trying to sneak enough sleep into the day.
Mitchell is embracing his role as older brother. When Sam first arrived Mitchell mostly just ignored him or treated him like a nuisance. Lately he's been trying to include Sam in what he's doing and helping him out when he notices he needs help. It's a nice change. He's also looking forward to being 4. I asked him what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. He said he would write a letter to the 'Birthday Guys' and tell them. He was under the impression that there are 'Birthday Guys' that are in partnership with Santa and bring you your birthday. Poor guy, I had to inform him that he's stuck with whatever I can come up with. He's really into drawing and doing workbooks lately. In the morning when he wakes up he marches out to the table, gets his crayons and paper set up and goes to town. He's filled up several notebooks lately with drawings of angry birds (game on the ipod, in case you didn't know). He recently went camping with Lee and the scouts. He had a wonderful time as usual. I try not to listen to the tales of playing with sticks in the fire and whatnot. It's just better if I don't know.
Sam still isn't talking a whole lot. He is, however, an excellent communicator. He's very good at babbling, grunting, and whining with various intonations so you know pretty much exactly what he wants. He uses three sign language signs, and a few real words. He also has a collection of made up words, for whatever reason airplane, helicopter, and cracker are the same word. Lately he is obsessed with airplanes, trains, firetrucks, motorcycles etc. Any moving vehicle is totally fascinating. We're constantly hearing 'Mama! Mama!' or 'Dada! Dada!' as he tries to get our attention while he's frantically pointing at some form of transportation. He also thinks its pretty darn funny to sneak up on Mitchell while he's distracted, steal something from him, and then run, giggling hysterically away. Sometimes when he gets bored he'll walk up to Mitchell and start poking or pinching him, for the reaction and the hope that he'll get chased. He's already becoming quite a talented tantrum thrower, I imagine he'll be a delightful two year old. His special trick is throwing things viciously at the ground so you know just how mad he really is.
And what have I been up to? Mostly cleaning up messes that immediately get remessed, cooking meals that everyone turns their noses up at, and panicking when I realize that this baby is coming soon, and I'm not ready! I've been sewing a few baby items, which has been fun. And I've been enjoying my Kindle. I really thought I'd miss having a real book in my hands, not the case. It's spoiling me, I'm now too lazy to read real books, you have to actually hold them and have two hands available to turn pages.
There you have it, a somewhat brief overview of our recent lives. I'll try to be better about blogging (no promises). And now for the pictures!

Boys being goofy

Mitchell and his friends the angry birds. I made them for him for Christmas.

Sam enjoying popcorn, one of his favorite things.

Professor Sam

Poking sticks in the fire, a favorite boy activity.